Dubai: The new strategic plan (2017-2021) for the Dubai Women’s Establishment (DWE) was launched on Tuesday by Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, President of the DWE and wife of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
The new strategic plan will serve as the foundation for the next phase in the DWE’s ongoing work to enhance the participation of Emirati women in social, economic and political fields, and their influence across various sectors said Shaikha Manal.
“The strategy has been developed in line with the key objectives of the UAE’s strategic plans to promote a culture of innovation throughout the nation,” said Shaikha Manal. She added that the plan would support the DWE’s continued efforts to promote the vital contribution of Emirati women in shaping the UAE’s economic and social future, enhancing the level of female participation across various sectors, and boosting the UAE’s competitiveness on a global level.
Mona Al Merri, Chairperson of the Board of DWE, said: “By incorporating innovation into our corporate values and mission, the strategic plan will help us to continue enhancing the status of Emirati women, strengthening their role in decision-making positions, and supporting the aspirations of more talented women in the years to come.”
Al Merri added: “We firmly believe that Dubai is a place where nothing is impossible, and Emirati women have an important part to play in the continued success and development of the emirate. Building on our achievements, our long-term strategic vision will continue to provide Emirati women with the right tools, capabilities and opportunities to achieve their goals.”
Shamsa Saleh, CEO of DWE, said: “Through adopting best practices, and supporting amendments to existing policies regarding women in the workforce, we can pave the way for further participation among Emirati women at all levels, by unlocking new opportunities through collaboration, encouraging women to pursue studies in targeted industries, conducting research to gain insights into their needs and challenges and establishing a conducive work environment which attracts and retains female talent.”
The plan is built on four key pillars, each of which features a number of pioneering initiatives designed to support DWE’s mission and goals for
the next five years. The four pillars include:
Catalyst for Change — providing recommendations to shape policies and developing new initiatives to enhance the participation of Emirati women across the workforce;
Research and Knowledge Hub — involving in-depth research and studies, data profiling and knowledge exchange to drive the engagement of Emirati women across various fields and sectors;
Representation and Strategic Partnerships — fostering strategic partnerships across the public and private sectors and increasing the representation of Emirati women through integrated, high-impact initiatives; and
Development and Capacity Building — developing customised, interactive programmes with leading institutions across the world to enhance the skills and capabilities of Emirati women, and fostering the next generation of women leaders.
